Tame Impala's 2012 debut album, Lonerism, was a modernized psychedelic infusion of experimental prog rock and 60's emulation. Elephant captured their unique sound and remains the Australian band's biggest hit. The band has now returned with their second studio album, Currents.

Gothenburg pioneers In Flames have made a lot of changes to their sound in Siren Charms, and for the most part this comes across as quite a big risk. Many, many fans have longed for a return to the sound of Colony or Whoracle, melodic death-metal juggernauts that cemented In Flames firmly onto the heavy metal scene.

Lana Del Rey's new album may superficially seem like more of the same. Certainly Del Rey has picked up where she left off on Born to Die. Her haunting, raspy vocals are still there, as are the depressing lyrics of a disillusioned woman looking for a life she craves on the wrong side of the tracks.

The stunning production belies itself immediately, studios of the 90s just couldn't capture sound this well, and from the get go, beneath the maelstrom, the voices have that slight weathered thinness that age brings.

When she took to the stage in the Olympic Park this summer, it was near impossible to take your eyes off her. She almost melts into her own music, living and breathing each word and note like a one-woman theatre company. It's really quite incredible what this lady can do.

Elissa Franceschi is a powerhouse vocalist, gifted song-writer and true artist. Channelling all of this and more into her performances at the Olympic Park this summer made her a prime selection for the Emerging Icons album, but this choice was based on more than her live shows alone.

When the xx breezed into all our lives as if riding a gust of murky ambience in 2009, they somehow created a brand of music that seemed unique and distinguished despite holding few innovations and owing plenty to the swathes of trip hop, RnB, soul and early dubstep that dallied with similar atmospherics for decades previous.

When an artist has the backing of some of the music industry's biggest names, you know the future is looking pretty bright. With Prince and Stevie Wonder as fans and Zane Lowe choosing 'Is Your Love Big Enough?' as his 'Hottest Record In The World', Lianne La Havas has already earned herself huge respect with muso's worldwide...

Originating from Texas but now mainly based out of Georgia, this group of metal infused musicians comprise of Chris Irvine(Jericho), former WWE wrestler and actor, Rich Ward, Frank Fontsere, Sean B. Delson (all part of underground metal-rap band Stuck MoJo) and Billy Grey.